Cup dispenser



Nov. 22, 1949 E. J. LIME 2,489,096

CUP DISPENSER Filed June 50, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l 34 v 46 45 E 1 lJ/U Q, l z, ,2/ z5 2/ .2 g| z 26 s IY 53 5'/ 9 a y ,45 z /7 /7 l 32 7 V /J T 24 1 l 1 l ,/3 8 I /8 /6' INVENTOR v l f BY l l f n ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 22, 1949 E. J. LIME 2,489,096

CUP DISPENSER Filed June 50, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR L.. ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 22, 1949 E. J. LIME 2,489,096

CUP DISPENSER Filed June 30, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jz'me r INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUP DISPENSER Ermal J-. Lime, Kansas City, Mo.

Application J une30, 1947, Serial No. 758,150

11 Claims.

and dropped in position to receivethe fiuidissuing from the spout of such a machine.

The primaryY object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of improved and novel design, which will be sure and positive inits dispensing of an` individual paper cup on each operation.

thereof.

Another important object of the `invention is to` provide a cup dispenser which will be capable of ready adjustment so that a single dispenser will be capable of adjustment to receive cups varying in length or width, or both length and width, from the cups previously dispensed.

Another important object of the invention is toprovide; a cup dispenser wherein, at the start of the operation whereby a cup is dispensed, the cups will have been previously positioned.. properly, and wherein, as the operationproceeds from beginning to end` thereof, means will cooperate to position one `cup for dispensing, retain all. the other cups separatetherefrcm, forcibly kick the first-namedcup out of the dispenser, and repostion the remaining cups properly forthe. neXt operation of the dispenser.

With the` foregoing and other objects in view which will` appearas the `description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter `morefully described and pointed out inthe claims, it being understood that changes maybe made` in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a View of a dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention, partly in elevation, and partly in vertical section.

Figure 2 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, taken from the right of Figure 1, paper cups held by the dispenser being shown in .dotted lines, the bottom cup beingshown dropping from the dispenser.

Figure 3 is a top plan view, showing the position of parts of the dispenser at the initial or starting` pointof the operation.

Figure 4 is a top plan View, showing the position of parts` at an intermediate point of the operation.

Figure 5 is a top plan view showing the position of parts at the completion of the operation of dispensing a paper cup.

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6--6 of Figure.2.

Figure 'lis a view taken on line` 'I-l of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, showing a means for actuatingkicker fingers embodied in the invention, the position of parts being. shown as they appear at the completion of the. operation wherein a cup has been kicked from the-dispenser.

Referring to the drawingsin detail, reference character 5 designates a stationary base, annularin form, thathas anupstanding flange 6, also of annular formation, which constitutes an extensionof the inner wall of the base 5.

Upstandingly and flXedly mounted in the base 5 is a lower barrel l, which, as shown in Figures l and 2, is generally of. sleeve-like or cylindrical formation. Adjacent the lower end ofthe lower barrel l, and preferably at a point level with the upper surface of the flange 6 of the base, a plurality of horizontal cam slots 8 are formed in the wall of the lower barrel, these being disposed in suitably spaced relation around the circumference of the lower barrel, asbest shown in Figure 7. Each Vslot .8 is formed with obliquely disposed end walls 9, that constitute cam surfaces adapted to engagethe side edges of lower ngers extended through the cam slots, which fingers will be described in detail hereinafter. A lower nger ring lll (Figures 1 and 7) is slidably positioned on the upper surface of the base 5, the upstanding :flange 6 of the base serving as a guide whereby rotary sliding movement of the lower finger ring on the base is maintained in a proper channel, and without lateral or eccentric deviation. A plurality of lower lingers. Il are pivotally connected to the lower finger ring, this pivotal connection being designated at l2. The lower fingers l l are so connected at one end, which may be designated as the outer end of each nger, the other or inner ends of the ngers being free, this construction being best shown in Figure 7. The lower fingers Il are preferably curvingly formed, and preferably-taper towards their inner ends. These may be conveniently formed from the fiat pieces of metal material, stamped out to provide fingers having the desired tapering curve.

From the above, it will be apparent that when the lower finger ring lai is moved in one direction, the side edges of the fingers will be engaged by end walls 9 of the cam slots 8, and the resulting cam action will cause theinner ends of the fingers to beswung inwardly toward the center of the lower barrel i, until in their innermost position, they will appear as shown in Figure '7, and also in Figure 3. This is thestarting or normal position of the inner fingers il.

For the purpose of moving the loweriinger'ring I 0, I provide a nger piece i3, which may be mounted at any desired point on the ring, within convenient access of an operator, who may manually thus effect the operation of the dispenser. In this connection, other means, not constituting a part of the present invention, may obviously be used `to give the lower finger ringV iiithe desired movement for operating the device, and these means may quite conceivably be automatic, and connected for operation concurrently with operation of a beverage brewing and vending machine.

As will become apparent from the description to be provided hereinafter, the movement of the lower finger ring provides the initial or basic force whereby the entire operation of the dispenser is permitted.

The rotary movement of the lower finger ring I is limited in either direction by the provision of an arcuate recess id preferably provided in the inner wall of the ring, a pin l stationarily mountedand upstanding from the base 5 being received in this recess (Figure 7). Thus, it is seen that the lower finger ring It is movable in one direction until pin i5 is engaged by one end wall of the recess it, and is movable in the other direction until pin i5 is engaged by the other end wall.

Mounted on the lower finger ring lil, and movable therewith, are opposed wedge-shaped cams I6, which are preferably mounted upstandingly at the outer margin or periphery of the ring it. These are best shown in Figures 1 and 8, and as shown, present inclines extended upwardly from the upper surface of the ring to level tops or table portions of said cams.

Intermediate the ends of the lower barrel 1, opposed ears l1' are extended outwardly from the outer wall of the lower barrel, these being preferably cast integral with the barrel. These are each formed with vertically disposed openings or bores, so that the ears li' may constitute guides or slidable mountings for sleeves IS that are movable in the ears in lines parallel to the axis of the lower barrel 1.

The sleeves i9 are interiorly threaded for engagement with the respective lower ends of correspondingly threaded rods i9, and this construction, as will be seen, permits longitudinal adjustment of the threaded rods i9 relative to the sleeves it. The sleeves i@ and their rods i9 constitute adjustable actuating rods for kicker fingers to be described in detail hereinafter. For the purpose of locking the threaded rods i9 in their adjusted positions, lock nuts 29 are provided, that are threadable against the ends of the sleeves On the upper ends of the threaded rods I9 are xedly mounted by any suitable means yokes 2l in the arms of which opposed openings are formed receiving removable pins 22. To the ends of the pins 22 are detachably connected the upper ends of springs 23, these springs being extended downwardly along the sides of each ear I1, as particularly shown in Figure 8, and being connected at their lower ends to opposed screws 24 or the like projecting from the sides of the ear.

From the above, it is seen that the springs 23, when the threaded rods i9 are moved upwardly relative to the ears l1, will tend always to return the rods i9 to their lowermost position, under the normal tendency of the springs to compress. Normally, the lower ends of the sleeves I8 are positioned in engagement with the upper surface of the finger ring i9. When, however, the finger ring I9 is moved in one direction, the lower ends of the sleeves will travel up the cams It, raising the threaded rods i9. When the lower finger ring i9 has been moved to its limit in one direction, the lower ends of the sleeves il? will rest on the level tops of the cams iii, in the position shown in Figure 8. However, when the ring it is moved in the other direction, springs 23 will urge the rods I9 and sleeves I8 downwardly, so that they will normally be in the position shown in Figure 1.

Pins 22 extend between the arms of yokes 2I, through longitudinal slots 25 formed in the outer ends of angularly formed kicker lingers 26. Intermediate their ends, kicker fingers 26 are fulcrumed to the lower ends, by pins 21, of opposed arms 28. The inner or free ends of the kicker fingers 23 are narrowed, as best shown in Figure 1, to provide tongues 29 thereon.

A barrel 39 of generally cylindrical formation is fitted into the upper end of the lower barrel 1, and the kicker iingers 2t extend through opposed vertical slots 3l formed in the wall of the upper barrel 30. Also mounted within the lower barrel 1, and positioned below the lower end of the upper barrel 3D is an annular lower guide collar 32, this serving the purpose of guiding the paper cups, if necessary, so that they will be centrally positioned when they drop from the lower end of the dispenser. This is mounted in position in the lower barrel 1 by means of one or more set screws 32', which may be removed if necessary, so that the collar 32 can be removed from the dispenser, should it be desired to dispense cups of greater diameter, the inner wall of the upper barrel 30 serving as the guide in such cases.

The upper barrel 30 is mountable in the lower barrel 1 in adjusted positions, the upper barrel being capable of being adjusted longitudinally `of the lower barrel by means of one 4or more set screws 33. This is for the purpose of permitting the dispenser to dispense cups of varying lengths. The connected barrels comprise a cylindrical main 0r body portion, in which the cups are supported and dispensed.

At its upper end, the outer wall of the upper barrel 30 is thickened to provide a collar 34, `and from this thickened portion is laterally extended an annular flange 35. As will be obvious, the upper barrel 30, collar 34 and flange 35 can all be cast integral.

A iiat annular ring bearing member 36 extends around the upper barrel 30, and is secured to the under surface of the collar 34 by screws 31 or the like. The periphery of the bearing member 36 projects beyond the wall of the collar 34, defining in cooperation with collar 34 a -channel for a movably mounted upper finger ring 38. Referring now to Figure 6, the outer ends of upper fingers 39 are pivotally connected to fthe upper finger ring, and these fingers 'are extended through cam slots 40 formed in the collar 34. The upper fingers 39, as clearly shown by the drawings, are substantially shorter than the lower lingers Il, so that when the inner ends of the upper fingers are moved to their innermost Dosition, they extend into the upper barrel 30 a comparatively short distance. The upper fingers 39 also extend through square notches 4I cut deeply from the bottom edge rof a cylindrical upper guide collar 42. One or more set screws 42' serve to mount the upper guide rcollar 42 removably in the .upper barrel 39. The upper guide collar 42, in this connection, serves to retain centrally disposed cups of a particular diameter at their upper ends. Should cups of greater diameter .be used, the upper guide collar 42, like the lower guide collar 32, is removed.

The upper finger ring 38 is movable in opposite directions, and :for the purpose of moving it in one of these directions, I provi-de la standard 43, which may be rlxedly mounted, as by welding or the like, to the finger piece I3 at its lower end.

This is extended upwardly inyspaced relation from the sides o-f the lowerbarrel1 4and upper barrel 30, and in. parallel relationthereto. Adjacent its upper end, it is brought into engagement, -for the :purpose orf moving the upper ring 38 in one directiornwith a projection 44 fixedly connected to and laterally extending bey-ond the ring 38.

Cut` into `the flange 35 are diametrically opposedradial slots 65, and extended between the walls of these slots are pins 46, which serve vas pivotal connections for the upper ends of the arms 28. As'clearly shown in Figure 1, the arms 23"are downwardly extended fromjthese pivotal connections, and curve inwardly toward their pivotal Iconnections 21 with the kicker fingers 26. Referring now to Figure 6, there are formed in the peripheral edges of the `upper nger ring 38 diametrically opposed cam recesses 41, the longitudinal or inner walls of which are inclined relative to the circumference of the upper finger ring 38, for the purpose of providing cam surfaces engageable with the arms 23. Normally, at the start of the operation of the dispenser, the arms 29 arepositioned at the narrow or shallow ends of the cam recesses 41. When, however, the upper finger ring 3B is moved, the arms 28, urged by springs 48 (Figure l) are urged inwardly, being permitted to do so by the inclined `walls of the cam recesses 4l. Referring now to Figure 1, it is seen that this causes the lower ends of the arms 28 to travel inwardly a short distance, drawing with them the kicker fingers 26. These are permitted to move inwardly by reason of the provision of Itheir longitudinal slots 25. This positions the kicker iingers 25, or more 'properly the tongues 29 thereof, in :proper position to be swung downwardly for the purpose of kicking a paper cup out of the dispenser.

As previously stated, movement of the lower finger ring Ill is adapted :by reason of the construction illustrated and described Ito move the upper finger ring 38 only in one direction. For the `purpose of normally urging the upper finger ring 38in the opposite direction, back to a normal position, a spring 49 is connected at one end to the ring 38 Iand at the .other end to the upper barrel 3, as shown in Figure l. While this spring is of a strength suicient to exert a rpull upon the upper finger ring 'to accomplish the result state-d, it is nevertheless not of such strength as to permit it to also move the lower nger ring I0.

Obviously, more than one spring 49 can be used, but. the combined strength :of lall these springs should not be such as to .be capable of imparting movement to the lower finger ring I0, it being the spirit of the invention that the lower finger ring I bemovable only .by outside means.

In operation of the device,` the initial yor starting position of the lower iinger ring ID is that shown in Figure 1. Pin I is at one end of recess I4, and the lower ngers II are extended into the lower barrel, fully closing the lower end of the lower barrel. In this position, also, standard 431s in engagement with projection 44, and the arms 28 are at the shallow. end of the cam recesses 21. The bottom ends `of the sleeves I3 rest on the surface of the lower finger ring I0, andare spaced away from the cams I6. Therefore, since arms 28 `are in their outermost positions, the tongues 29 ofthe kicker fingers 26` are withdrawn into thefslots 3|, of the upper barrel 39. Further, in this position, `the upper finger ring 38 is so disposed relativelto cam slots. 40 as .to causemthe partially into their slots.

upper fingers 39 to `be fullyiwithdrawn into themt that is the bottomfcup A willrest on the inwardly extended lower fingers I I and these lower fingers will as a result be supporting the entire column.

The arrangement of parts in this' initial or starting positionis shown in Figures V3 and 7'.

As the lower nger ring begins to move in one direction, which may be termed la forward direction, the lower fingers II will begin to withdraw The standard 43 will move in a direction away from projection 44 on the upper finger ring 38. However, the projection 134 will follow the standard during this first` movement, under the compressing action of spring or springs 159. This causes the arms 28,to move toward the deeper ends of the recesses 4 1, and they` will, of course, draw the kicker fingers 2B, inwardly and substantially laterally a short distance. Since during this initial movement springs-4I]` are moving the upper finger ring 38, the upperfingers 39 will also move inwardly, and they are propor tioned to move inwardly a suiiicient distance during this initial movement to engage the rimof the paper cup next above the bottom cup, designated in Figures 1 and 2 by the reference character B.

Thus, concurrently with partial withdrawal of the lower fingers II, the upper fingers 39 have been moved inwardly a sufficient distanceto engage cup B and thus support the entire column of cups. This is the maximum movement in this direction of the upper finger ring 33, further movement being restrained by the endwall of each of the recesses d1, engaging arms 28.

This intermediate position of the lower linger ring Ill, and forwardmost position of the upper nger ring 33, is shown in Figures 1, 4, and `ES.

As forward movement of the lower nger ring I continues, the cams I5 reach sleeves I8, and cause the upward movement of the rods I9. This swings tongues 29 downwardly, causing them to engage the upper edge of the bottom cup A and kick it downwardly. During this further forward movement of the lower finger ring, the lower ingers II are fully withdrawn, or substantially so, into the slots 8, and thus, cup A drops from the dispenser. Cup A preferably drops to a support therefor, spaced away from and below the dispenser, so that fluid may be poured into the cup. This support is not shown, constituting no part of the present invention.

The purpose of the kicker fingers 2t, as will be seen, is obvious, in that cups packed in a column tend to stick together. In this device, it is an important object that the operation of dropping a cup be insured on each and every use of ther Arms 28 are accordingly urged outwardly, withdrawing the kicker fingers fully into slots 3|. At the same time, the upper fingers 39 are also withdrawn fully into their slots, and as soon as vthey are disengaged from cup B, the entire column of cups drops downwardly, and is supported on the lower fingers Il, which again will have been brought into position to close the bottom of the dispenser.

Should it be desired to use cups of greater lengths, the upper barrel 30 is adjusted longitudinally of the lower barrel, and is repositioned. Standard 43, in this connection, has been shown as being of sufficiently long length that it will still be capable of engaging the projection 44 should the device be so adjusted. Obviously, standard 43 can itself be made of adjustable length, if desired.

Should the device be so adjusted to provide for longer cups, it will then be necessary to adjust rod I9 relative to sleeve I8. This is done by detaching springs 23 from the pin 22, removing pin 22 from yoke 2l, and freeing the rod i9 in this manner for rotation.

Should it be desired to adjust the device for cups of different width, the guide collars 32 and 42 can be removed in the manner previously described.

What is claimed is:

l. A cup dispenser, comprising a lower barrel, an upper barrel connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, means insertable in the barrels for adjusting the diameters thereof, lower fingers laterally swingable into the lower barrel, the lower fingers being normally positioned within the lower barrel, upper fingers laterally swingable into the upper barrel, kicker fingers vertically swingable into the upper barrel, the upper fingers and kicker iingers being normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, means for imparting joint movement to all the fingers, whereby to swing the kicker fingers and upper fingers into the upper barrel concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers from the lower barrel, and means for returning all of the fingers to normal position.

2. A cup dispenser, comprising a lower barrel, a lower ring slidable thereon, lower fingers swingably connected to the lower ring and normally closing the lower barrel, an upper barrel adjustably connected to the lower barrel, kicker fingers swingablyV `carried by the upper barrel and normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, an adjustable kicker nger actuating means carried by the lower barrel and engageable by the lower ring for actuation thereby, an upper ring slidable on the upper barrel, means operatively connecting the upper and the lower rings, and upper fingers swingably connected to the upper ring and normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, said actuating means and rings constituting means for withdrawing the lower fingers from the lower barrel concurrently with swinging of the upper and kicker lingers into the upper barrel.

3. A cup dispenser, comprising a lower barrel, a lower finger ring slidable thereon, lower fingers on the lower finger ring mounted for lateral swinging movement into the lower barrel on movement of the lower finger ring and normally positioned within the lower barrel, an upper barrel on the lower barrel, there being vertical slots formed in the wall of the upper barrel, depending arms on the upper barrel, kicker fingers pivoted to the arms for vertical swinging movement and extending into the slots, said kicker fingers being normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, means associated with the lower finger ring adapted to impart swinging movement to the kicker fingers to swing them into the upper barrel concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers, an upper nger ring slidable on the upper barrel, upper fingers thereon mounted for lateral swinging movement into the upper barrel on movement of the upper finger ring and normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, and means connecting the upper and lower finger rings, for joint movement whereby to swing the upper fingers into the upper barrel concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers.

4. A cup dispenser, comprising a lower barrel, a lower finger ring slidable therearound, there being cam slots in the wall of the lower barrel, laterally swingable lower lingers on the lower finger ring and normally extending into the lower barrel through the cam slots, means for imparting limited movement to the lower finger ring in opposite directions, cams on the lower finger ring, actuating rods slidably mounted on the lower barrel and engageable by the cams, normally withdrawn kicker fingers slidably and pivotally connected to the actuating rods, an upper barrel on the lower barrel, there being slots in the Wall of the upper barrel adapted to receive the kicker fingers, depending arms pivotally connected at their ends to the upper barrel and kicker fingers, an upper finger ring slidable on the upper barrel, there being cam recesses formed therein receiving the arms, means connecting the upper and lower finger rings for simultaneous movement in one direction, means normally urging the upper finger ring in the opposite direction, there being cam slots in the wall of the upper barrel, and upper fingers on the upper finger ring laterally swingable into the upper barrel through the cam slots, and normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, said rings and actuating rods constituting means for withdrawing the lower fingers from the lower barrel concurrently with movement of the upper and kicker fingers into the upper barrel.

5. A cup dispenser, comprising a lower barrel, a lower finger ring slidable therearound, there being cam slots in the wall of the lower barrel, laterally swingable lower fingers pivoted to the lower finger ring and normally extended through the cam slots into the lower barrel, means for imparting movement to the lower finger ring in opposite directions, cams on the lower finger ring, adjustable actuating rods slidably mounted on the lower barrel and engageable by the cams, normally withdrawn kicker fingers slidably and pivotally connected to the actuating rods, an upper barrel connected to the lower barrel, means for adjusting the upper barrel longitudinally of the lower barrel, there being slots in the wall of the upper barrel adapted to receive the kicker fingers, depending arms pivotally connected at their ends to the upper barrel and kicker fingers, an upper finger ring slidable on the upper barrel, there being cam recesses formed therein receiving the arms, means extending between the upper and lower finger rings proportioned to impart limited movement to the upper nger ring on movement of the lower finger ring in one direction, means normally urging the upper finger ring in the opposite direction, there being cam slots in the wall of the upper barrel, normally withdrawn upper fingers pivoted to the upper finger ring and laterally swingable in the last-named slots, said rings and actuating rods constituting means for withdrawing the lower fingers from the lower barrel concurrently with movement of the upper and kicker fingers into the upper barrel, and removable upper and lower guide collars respectively mounted within the upper and lower barrels.

6. A cup dispenser, comprising an annular base, a lower barrel mounted thereon, a lower finger ring slidable on the base, lower fingers pivoted thereto, there being cam slots in the wall of the lower barrel through which the lower fingers are extended, said lower fingers being normally extended into the lower barrel, the walls of said slots being proportioned to swing the lower fingers inwardly and outwardly when the lower finger ring is moved in opposite directions, inclined cams on the lower linger' ring, ears, having openings, on the lower barrel, adjustable actuating rods slidable in said openings, the lower ends of the rods being engageable by the cams, whereby to move the actuating rods upwardly, yielding means normally urging the actuating rods downwardly, an upper barrel adjustably connected to the lower barrel, there being vertical slots in the wall of the upper barrel, kicker fingers normally withdrawn from the upper barrel and extendable through the vertical slots, the outer ends of the kicker fingers being slidably and pivotally connected to the actuating rods, depending arms pivotally connected at their upper ends to the upper barrel, the lower ends being pivotally connected to the kicker fingers intermediate the ends of the kicker lingers, an upper finger ring slidably mounted on the upper barrel, a standard on the lower finger ring, means carried by the upper finger ring engageable by the standard, whereby to move the upper linger ring in one direction on movement of the lower finger ring in said direction, yielding means normally urging the upper finger ring in the other direction, there being cam recesses formed in the upper nger ring, the depending arms being "A engageable in the recesses, yielding means normally urging the arms into the recesses, normally withdrawn upper fingers pivoted to the upper finger ring, there being cam slots in the upper barrel through which the upper ngers are eX- tended, means for imparting limited movement of the lower finger ring whereby to lwithdraw the lower fingers from the lower barrel concurrently with movement of the upper and kicker fingers into the upper barrel, and means for adjusting the diameters of the upper and lower barrel.

7. A cup dispenser including a cylindrical body portion, lower lingers laterally swingable into the body portion, the lower fingers being normally positioned within the body portion, upper fingers laterally swingable into the lbody portion, kicker fingers vertically swingable into the body portion, the upper fingers and kicker fingers being normally withdrawn from the body portion, and means for imparting joint movement to all the fingers, whereby to swing the kicker fingers and upper fingers into the body portion concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers.

8. A cup dispenser including a lower barrel, an upper barrel connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, means insertable into the barrels for Cil adjusting their diameters, lower fingers laterally swingable into the lower barrel, the lower fingers being normally positioned within the lower barrel, upper lingers laterally swingable into the upper barrel, the upper fingers being normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, and means for imparting joint movement to all the fingers, whereby to swing the upper fingers into the 'upper barrel concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers from the lower barrel.

9. A cup dispenser including a lower barrel, an upper barrel connected thereto for longitudinal adjustment, lower lingers laterally swingable into the lower barrel, the lower fingers being normally positioned within the lower barrel, upper fingers laterally swingable into the upper barrel, kicker fingers vertically swingable into the upper barrel, the upper fingers and kicker lingers being normally `withdrawn from the upper barrel, means for imparting joint movement to all the fingers, whereby to swing the kicker fingers and upper fingers into the upper barrel concurrently with withdrawal of the lower fingers from the lower barrel, and means for returning all of the fingers to normal position.

10. A cup dispenser including a cylindrical body portion a lower ring slidable thereon, lower fingers swingably connected to the lower ring and normally closing the lower end of the body portion, kicker fingers swingably mounted on the body portion and normally withdrawn therefrom, kicker finger actuating means carried by the body portion and engageable by the lower ring for actuation thereby, an upper ring slidably mounted on the body portion, means operatively connecting the upper and lower rin-gs, and upper lingers swingably connected to the upper ring and normally withdrawn from the body portion, said actuating means and rings constituting means for withdrawing the lower fingers from the body portion concurrently with swinging of the upper and kicker fingers into the body portion.

11. A cup dispenser including a lower barrel, a lower ring slidable thereon, lower fingers swingably connected to the lower ring and normally closing the lower barrel, an upper barrel adjustably connected to the lower barrel, an upper ring slidable on the upper barrel, means operatively connecting the upper and the lower rings, and upper fingers swingably connected to the upper ring and normally withdrawn from the upper barrel, said rings constituting means for withdrawing the lower fingers from the lower barrel concurrently with swinging of the upper fingers into the upper barrel.

ERMAL J. LIME.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTSy Number Name Date 1,010,861 Claussen Dec. 5, 1911 1,216,417 Cooley Feb. 20, 1917 2,000,008 Barbiere May 7, 1935 

